openMSX is an open source, freely distributed and cross-platform command-line/graphical software that has been designed from the offset to emulate MSX hardware. It emulates all known MSX systems, including MSX, MSX2, MSX2+, as well as the turboR ones.

Features at a glance

Key features include the ability to run multiple machines at the same time, in a single instance, support for more than 110 MSX machine hardware configurations and over 60 MSX extension hardware configurations, SSE2 optimizations for resampling and rendering, as well as comprehensive documentation.

Additionally, it features TCL scripting supports, real-time timing, an advanced build system, as well as support for emulating Sunrise GFX 9000, Pioneer Palcom Laserdisc, and all known cartridge mapper types. OSD (On-Screen Display) is also provided.

It also includes configurations for more than 110 MSX machine hardware and 60 MSX extension hardware. The application makes use of the SDL_image and SDL_ttf libraries to display the games. It supports save states and cycles detailed VDP (Variable Data Printing) command engine timing.

Another interesting feature is the ability to specify system ROMs with their file names or SHA1 checksums. In addition, it offers pixel accurate rendering and fully automatic host to MSX keyboard mapping.

Under the hood and supported operating systems

The software is cross-platform, written entirely in the C++ programming language, using Tcl for its graphical user interface (GUI). Supported operating systems include all GNU/Linux distributions, various BSD flavors (FreeBSD, NetBSD and OpenBSD), Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and OpenDingux (Dingoo).

Availability and supported platforms

On GNU/Linux, openMSX is available for download as a universal sources archive, allowing the user to optimize it for his/her Linux kernel-based operating system. You can also install the application from the default software repositories of your distribution. Both 32-bit and 64-bit hardware platforms are supported at this time.

openMSX was reviewed by Marius Nestor, last updated on December 19th, 2014